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Urologic Oncology: Seminars and Original Investigations ] (]]]]) ]]]–]]]

Review article
A review of Agent Orange and its associated oncologic risk of
genitourinary cancers
Chrystal Chang, M.D.a,*, Michael Benson, M.D.a, Mina M. Fam, M.D.b
a
Department of Surgery, Division of Urology, Rutgers New Jersey Medical School, Newark, NJ
b
Department of Urology, University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, Pittsburgh, PA
Received 7 April 2017; received in revised form 20 August 2017; accepted 30 August 2017

Abstract
Agent Orange is an herbicide sprayed widely in Vietnam that is linked to a variety of malignancies in as early as 1991.Since then, there
has been concern for, and subsequent interest in studying, the potential connection between Agent Orange and other malignancies. In the
past 2 decades, there have been significant changes in the opinion of the National Academy of Science regarding Agent Orange and certain
genitourinary malignancies. Herein, we review the literature regarding the potential link between Agent Orange and various urological
cancers, including prostate, bladder, testicular, and renal cancers. r 2017 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Keywords: 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin; Agent Orange; Vietnam; Veteran; Cancer

1. Background increased association between Agent Orange and prostate


cancer [3]. A recent update in March 2016 by the
Agent Orange is an herbicide sprayed widely in Vietnam Committee to Review the Health Effects in Vietnam
from August 1965 to February 1971, and contains 2,3,7,8- Veterans of Exposure to Herbicides has suggested that
tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD). TCDD has been there is “limited or suggestive evidence” of an increased
shown to cause direct DNA damage and has been linked association between Agent Orange and bladder cancer [4].
to a variety of malignancies, especially non–Hodgkin’s Herein, we review the literature and case-control studies
lymphomas, soft-tissue sarcomas, and cutaneous T-cell regarding the potential link between Agent Orange and
lymphomas [1,2]. With these discoveries, there was sig- various urological cancers, including prostate, bladder,
nificant concern that Agent Orange could increase the risk testicular, and renal cancers. Our paper serves to raise the
of other cancers as well. In recent years, there has been question that perhaps specific guidelines are needed to
interest in studying the potential connection between Agent address screening and possible changes in surveillance
Orange and urologic malignancies. In 1991, Congress protocols among patients who have had toxic chemical
enacted the Agent Orange Act, which mandated the exposures.
National Academy of Science to periodically review the
available literature regarding herbicidal exposure and var-
ious disease states. In the past 2 decades there have been 2. Biological plausibility of Agent Orange and
significant changes in the Academy’s expert opinions malignancy
regarding Agent Orange and certain genitourinary malig-
nancies. In 1998, the National Academy of Science stated Several studies have provided significant evidence cor-
that there was “limited or suggestive evidence” of an roborating TCDDs association with malignancy. TCDD is
easily and rapidly absorbed via alimentary tract, yet

Corresponding author. Tel. (office): þ1-973-972-4465; fax: þ1-973-
eliminated slowly. Oral administration can lead to 50% to
972-3892. 93% absorption of the administered dose [5]. The half-life
E-mail address: chachang@njms.rutgers.edu (C. Chang). is exceedingly long, with some studies demonstrating a

http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.urolonc.2017.08.029
1078-1439/r 2017 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
2 C. Chang et al. / Urologic Oncology: Seminars and Original Investigations ] (]]]]) ]]]–]]]

half-life of up to 7.2 years [6]. The mechanism by which prostate cancer in those who served longer in Vietnam and
TCDD promotes carcinogenesis has not been completely had higher serum levels of TCDD [13,14]. However, no
elucidated, but it is known that TCDD interacts intra- study has been able to demonstrate increased risk of
cellularly with the ligand-activated aryl hydrocarbon recep- mortality among those exposed to Agent Orange [19,20].
tor (AHR) or the aryl hydrocarbon receptor nuclear A review of the cited studies also reveals that although there
translocator (AHNR), or both [7]. This transcription factor are many statistically significant studies, most studies utilize
alters gene expression of factors such as platelet-derived small sample sizes with the exception of 2: The Northern
growth factor and vascular endothelial growth factor, which California self-reported survey-based study of 239 exposed
are heavily implicated in carcinogenesis [7]. TCDD may patients with prostate cancer, and the Australian-based
also indirectly promote aberrant cell growth by binding to a population study of 692 exposed patients with prostate
portion of the AHR/AHNR complex, which would also cancer [17,18]. In the former study, Chamie et al. [17]
alter gene expression and cell function that potentially provided one of the more comprehensive studies which
promotes carcinogenesis [7]. These are mechanisms by found that compared to unexposed men, Agent Orange-
which chemical compounds such as TCDD provide intra- exposed men were diagnosed with prostate cancer at a
cellular signals that can affect the nuclei of cells and lead to younger age, had a twofold increase in the proportion of
increased risk of malignancy. Gleason scores 8 through 10 cancer, and were more likely
to have metastatic disease at presentation. The Australian
cohort study was a major contributor to the 2006 Agent
3. Prostate cancer Orange update from the National Academy of Sciences,
where the stance was elevated to “limited or suggestive
Prostate cancer has been the most common noncutaneous evidence” of an increased association between Agent
malignancy in the United States since 1984, now account- Orange and prostate cancer, and that stance remains to this
ing for 27% of all cancers and it is estimated that 1 in 7 men day [4,18]. Veterans who served in Vietnam are around the
alive today will be diagnosed with prostate cancer [8]. The same age as the average age of diagnosis of prostate cancer,
first study demonstrating an associated increased risk of age 67 [21], warranting increased need of prostate cancer
prostate cancer due to Agent Orange exposure was a case- screening in veterans, specifically in those veterans who
control study in 2004 at the Michigan Veterans Affairs were subject to environmental exposures.
hospital, which showed that men with prostate cancer were
approximately 2 times more likely to report previous
exposure to Agent Orange (odds ratio ¼ 2.06, 95%
CI: 0.81–5.23) [9]. In 2013, the first statistically significant 4. Bladder cancer
study describing Agent Orange as a risk factor for high-
grade prostate cancer was completed at the Portland, Bladder cancer is a “cancer of the environment and age”
Oregon Veterans Affairs hospital. This study described [22]. Links confirming genetic susceptibility to bladder
not only the positive association between herbicide expo- cancer have been made, such as NAT2 slow acetylator
sure and the overall risk of prostate cancer, but also a and GSTM1-null genotypes [23]; however, external risk
twofold increased risk for high-grade (Gleason score: 8–10) factors appear to be of primary importance. The earliest
prostate cancer [10]. Additional studies concluded that chemical agents associated with bladder cancer were
prostate cancer was diagnosed at a younger age and was Benzidine and β-naphthylamine in dye and rubber workers
of a more aggressive variant in exposed veterans [11]. Other [24]. However, the most important known risk factor for
international studies such as the Agent Orange Exposure bladder cancer is tobacco smoke inhalation. Over the past
and Prevalence of Self-reported Diseases based out of several decades, there has been considerable debate regard-
Korea further demonstrated the same relationship as was ing the carcinogenic effect of Agent Orange on the
seen in the US population studies [12]. Although based on urothelium, specifically in the bladder. The debate remains
self-reported survey data, the Korean study with more than contentious, as bladder cancer has not yet been considered a
100,000 respondents did demonstrate a greater than twofold service-connected disease process for Vietnam Veterans.
risk of prostate cancer in the high exposure group as In their tenth biennial report, the Committee to Review
compared to the control group. Statistically significant and the Health Effects in Vietnam Veterans of Exposure to
associated studies describing incidence (Table 1) and Herbicides changed their previous stance on bladder cancer,
mortality (Table 2) are detailed later. reporting that “epidemiologic results concerning an associ-
As seen in the aformentioned tables, several studies have ation between exposure to the chemicals of interest (COIs)
revealed a statistically significant increased incidence of and bladder cancer had accrued to now constitute limited or
prostate cancer in veterans exposed to Agent Orange suggestive evidence of an association” [4]. This change
[10,13–18]. The Akhtar et al. [15] study was first to provides a significant shift in previous reports which stated
investigate cancer incidence among United States Vietnam that there was “inadequate or insufficient information to
War veterans. Overall, there is an increased incidence of determine whether there [was] an association” [22].
C. Chang et al. / Urologic Oncology: Seminars and Original Investigations ] (]]]]) ]]]–]]] 3

Table 1
Incidence of prostate cancer in those exposed to Agent Orange [4]

Incidence

Population Exposed cases Agent Orange Relative risk Study


chemical of interest (95% CI)

US Air Force Ranch Hand Veterans—last tour in Southeast Asia before 9 All 1.0 (0.4–2.3) Pavuk et al. [13]
1969, heavy spraying with low recorded serum TCDD
US Air Force Ranch Hand Veterans—last tour in Southeast Asia before 15 All 2.3 (1.1–4.7) Pavuk et al. [13]
1969, heavy spraying with high recorded serum TCDD
US Air Force Ranch Hand Veterans—less than 2 years served in Southeast 20 All 1.9 (1.0–3.7) Pavuk et al. [13]
Asia, heavy spraying with high recorded serum TCDD
US Air Force Ranch Hand Veterans—less than 2 years served in Southeast 14 All 2.2 (1.0–4.5) Pavuk et al. [13]
Asia, heavy spraying with high recorded serum TCDD
1982–2003—White Southeast Asian (SEA) comparison veterans who 8 All 1.0 Pavuk et al. [14]
served 0.8–1.3 years in Southeast Asia
1982–2003—White SEA comparison veterans who served 1.3–2.1 11 All 1.3 (0.5–3.2) Pavuk et al. [14]
years in Southeast Asia
1982–2003—White SEA comparison veterans who served 2.1–3.7 26 All 2.2 (1.0–4.9) Pavuk et al. [14]
years in Southeast Asia
1982–2003—White SEA comparison veterans who served 3.7–16.4 36 All 2.4 (1.1–5.2) Pavuk et al. [14]
years in Southeast Asia
Ranch Hand Veterans vs. National Rates, through 1999 36 All 1.5 (1.0–2.0) Akhtar et al. [15]
SEA veterans with tours between 1966–1970 vs. National Rates, 42 All 1.6 (1.2–2.2) Akhtar et al. [15]
through 1999
SEA veterans vs National Rates, through 1999 54 All 1.6 (1.2–2.1) Akhtar et al. [15]
Exposed veterans with radical prostatectomies examined in VA Not reported All 1.5 (1.1–2.0) Shah et al. [16]
Healthcare facilities (California, Georgia, North Carolina)
Northern Californiaprostate cancer (self-reported [before diagnosis] 239 All 2.9 (2.3–3.6) Chamie et al. [17]
of AO exposed vs. not)
Oregon veterans who underwent prostate biopsy at Portland VA 74 All 1.5 (1.1–2.1) Ansbaugh et al. [10]
Medical Center diagnosed with prostate cancer
Oregon veterans who underwent prostate biopsy at Portland VA 40 All 1.8 (1.1–2.7) Ansbaugh et al. [10]
Medical Center diagnosed with Gleason Score 47 prostate cancer
Oregon veterans who underwent prostate biopsy at Portland VA Not reported All 2.1 (1.2–3.6) Ansbaugh et al. [10]
Medical Center diagnosed with Gleason Score 48 prostate cancer
Australian Vietnam Veterans who served on land or in Vietnamese 692 All 1.3 (1.2–1.3) ADVA [18]
waters 5/23/1962–7/1/1973 vs. Australian population

Previously most of the evidence among military service the Veteran’s military unit. A high exposure group and low
members was gathered from 6 studies (Tables 3 and 4). exposure group were then compiled based on logarithmic
None of these studies provided any evidence for exposure index scores (Table 5).
increased incidence of bladder cancer or mortality due to In this study, there was a statistically significant twofold
bladder cancer in those Veterans exposed to TCDD. increase in disease-specific mortality in the high exposure
However, most recently a large population-based study group. It is possible that this increased mortality was not
was released from South Korea. 177,899 Korean Vietnam seen earlier as bladder cancer typically has a latency period
veterans were analyzed for exposure to TCDD and risk of between exposure and detection that may take many
death using the Korean National Health Insurance claims decades. However, given the above data and previous
data from January 1992 to December 2005. First, exposure information from occupational studies, the Veterans com-
to TCDD was quantified in a logarithmic fashion based on mittee on Agent Orange has changed its position and stated

Table 2
Mortality of prostate cancer in those exposed to Agent Orange [4]

Mortality

Population Exposed cases Agent Orange chemical of interest Relative risk (95% CI) Study

Australian Vietnam Veterans, all Branches, return—2001 107 All 1.2 (1.0–1.5) ADVA [19]
Australian Conscripted Army National Service, 1982–1994 36 All 1.5 (1.0–2.0) CDVA [20]
4 C. Chang et al. / Urologic Oncology: Seminars and Original Investigations ] (]]]]) ]]]–]]]

Table 3
Incidence of bladder cancer in those exposed to Agent Orange [4]

Incidence

Population Exposed cases Agent Orange chemical of interest Relative risk (95% CI) Study

US Vietnam Veterans, Air Force 14 All 1.1 (0.6–1.7) Akhtar et al. [15]
Massachusetts Vietnam-era veterans 80 All 0.6 (0.2–1.3) Clapp [25]
Australian Vietnam Veterans 164 All 1.0 (0.9–1.2) ADVA [18]
Australian Conscripted Army National Service 19 All 0.7 (0.4–1.1) ADVA [26]

that there is “limited or suggestive evidence of an associ- incidence and mortality were reviewed and are outlined in
ation” between Agent Orange exposure and bladder cancer: Tables 6 and 7 later.
a significant change from their previously held expert Although multiple studies attempted to ascribe a poten-
opinion. This change may clinically change screening and tial link between Agent Orange exposure and an increased
surveillance patterns among clinicians who care for patients risk of testicular cancer, the data simply are not powered
with known Agent Orange exposure. Also, the above well enough to support this connection. This may be due to
evidence may have serious financial implications for those the fact that testicular cancer occurs most often in men
veterans whose care and compensation are affected by a between the ages of 25 and 29, and today’s Vietnam
service-connected disease process related to an occupational veterans are well outside that age range. Moreover, men
exposure. who have received a diagnosis of testicular mass, absence
of one testicle, undescended testicle, or testicular cancer
would have been medically disqualified from service [42],
5. Testicular cancer which could also help explain a seemingly slight reduction
in risk observed in some of the studies outlined earlier.
Testicular cancer occurs most often in men between the
ages of 20 and 34 [31]. Known risk factors for testicular
cancer include white race [31], cryptorchidism [32], family 6. Renal cancer
history [33,34], and infertility [35]. Agent Orange as a risk
factor for the development of testicular cancer has not been Renal cancer occurs predominantly in the sixth to eighth
thoroughly explored, likely due to the early presentation decades of life, is uncommon in patients younger than 40
and rarity of the disease. years, and is rare in children [43]. It is estimated that in the
The most recent study, conducted by Yi and Ohrr, United States, 39,650 men and 23,050 women will be
examined Korean Vietnam Veterans (high exposure diagnosed with renal cancer in 2016, and that 9,240 men
n ¼ 85,809 vs. low exposure n ¼ 94,442) and identified and 5,000 women will die from it [44]. Numerous risk
5 cases of incident testicular cancer: 2 with high exposure factors have been implicated in renal cancer including
and 3 with low exposure. Overall, there was no difference tobacco use, occupational exposure to toxic compounds
in the incidence of testicular cancer in this cohort compared such as cadmium, asbestos, and petroleum by-products,
to the general Korean population (standardized incidence obesity, acquired cystic kidney disease, and analgesic abuse
ratio ¼ 1.03, CI: 0.42–2.63) [36]. Additionally, there was nephropathy [45,46]. Few studies exist exploring Agent
no association for testicular cancer when comparing Orange as a risk factor for developing renal cancer. Table 8
individuals with high exposure to individuals with describes 8 studies among the Vietnam veteran population
low exposure [30]. Multiple other studies describing that have been inconclusive in attributing an association

Table 4
Mortality of bladder cancer in those exposed to Agent Orange [4]

Mortality

Population Exposed Agent Orange Relative risk Study


cases chemical of interest (95% CI)

US CDC Vietnam experience study 1 All 1.0 (0.4–2.6) Boehmer et al. [27]
US Vietnam-era Army veterans who served 7/4/1965–3/1/1973 9 All 0.6 (0.3–1.2) Breslin et al. [28]
US Vietnam-era Army Marine veterans who served 4 All 2.4 (0.1–66.4) Breslin et al. [28]
7/4/1965–3/1/1973
Australian Vietnam Veterans 22 All 0.7 (0.4–1.0) ADVA [19]
Australian Conscripted Army National Service 1 All 0.3 (0.0–1.7) CDVA [20]
C. Chang et al. / Urologic Oncology: Seminars and Original Investigations ] (]]]]) ]]]–]]] 5

Table 5
Agent Orange exposure and risk of death [29]

Population Exposure Exposed cases Agent Orange chemical of interest Relative risk (95% CI) Study

Korean Veteran Health Study Low exposure 19 All 1.13 (0.98–1.29) Yi and Ohrr [30]
High Exposure 42 All 2.04 (1.17–3.55)

between increased incidence of, or mortality from, RCC due developing these cancers, such as significant smoking
to Agent Orange exposure. history, are at an even higher risk. It is important to
The Committee to Review the Health Effects in Vietnam clinically monitor Vietnam veterans for developing prostate
Veterans of Exposure to Herbicides has therefore taken the cancer, and earlier intervention may be warranted. The
stance that “there is inadequate or insufficient evidence to studies reviewed should help raise awareness among
determine whether there is an association between exposure Vietnam veterans and clinicians to discuss potential Agent
to Agent Orange and renal cancers” [4]. There are few Orange exposure as an important part of a comprehensive
studies exploring a potential association between Agent medical history. It may also be prudent to consider the
Orange and renal cancer, as well as a low number of Vietnam Veterans who were exposed to Agent Orange as a
exposed cases in these studies with only 3 of 8 studies more “high risk” patient demographic for prostate cancer,
having more than 30 exposures. Not studies were able to similar to men of African-American heritage or men with
reach statistical significance in determining a relationship family history of prostate cancer.
between Agent Orange exposure and renal cancers. As of now, there are a limited number of studies
assessing Agent Orange’s relationship with testicular and
renal cancer. A potential increased incidence of testicular
7. Discussion cancer in Vietnam veterans secondary to Agent Orange
exposure is unlikely to be adequately studied given
Agent Orange, an herbicide used during the Vietnam significant constraints: the population of Vietnam Veterans
War, contains compounds such as TCDD that have been today is outside the age range of those who typically
linked to an increased incidence of malignancies. Although develop testicular cancer (at ages 25–29), and the rates of
TCDDs association with urological malignancies has only the disease process are extremely low, making it difficult to
recently been explored, there is “limited or suggestive demonstrate statistical significance. In regards to renal
evidence” of an increased association between Agent cancer, no studies were able to determine a positive
Orange and prostate and bladder cancer [4]. Agent Orange correlation between Agent Orange and renal cancer.
is linked not only to an increased incidence in prostate A potential issue in many of the reported studies include
cancer, but also to a higher grade cancer in exposed cohorts. recall bias of Vietnam veterans regarding their exposure
In regards to bladder cancer, in 2016 the Committee to status. Objective data to quantify TCDD exposure, such as
Review the Health Effects in Vietnam Veterans of Exposure serum measurements of TCDD, does not exist. Instead,
to Herbicides altered its stance on the relationship between several studies relied on geographic models to extrapolate
Agent Orange and bladder cancer from “inadequate or exposure. Furthermore, there exists a potential bias for
insufficient evidence,” to “limited or suggestive evidence” patients to admit to Agent Orange exposure, as there is
[4]. Considering these findings, it is increasingly important financial compensation for those who have been exposed
to screen today’s Vietnam veterans for potential exposure to and subsequently developed malignancy. Finally, the over-
Agent Orange, as well as assess their risk of both prostate all small sample sizes in most of the initial studies make
and bladder cancers. Patients who have risk factors for results at times difficult to interpret with confidence.

Table 6
Incidence of testicular cancer in those exposed to Agent Orange [4]

Incidence

Population Exposed Agent Orange chemical Relative risk Study


cases of interest (95% CI)

District of Columbia Vietnam Veterans diagnosed in 1976–June 30, 1981 31 All 2.3 (1.0–5.5) Tarone et al. [37]
Massachusetts Vietnam-era veterans aged 35–65 years in 1993 diagnosed 30 All 1.2 (0.4–3.3) Clapp [25]
in 1988–1993 vs. gastrointestinal cancers
Australian Vietnam Veterans, all branches, 1982–2000 54 All 0.9 (0.6–1.1) ADVA [18]
Australian Conscripted Army National Service, 1982–2000 17 All 0.7 (0.4–1.2) ADVA [26]
Korean Vietnam Veterans, high exposure (n ¼ 2) and low exposure (n ¼ 3) 5 All 1.05 (0.42–2.63) Yi and Ohrr [30]
6 C. Chang et al. / Urologic Oncology: Seminars and Original Investigations ] (]]]]) ]]]–]]]

Table 7
Mortality of testicular cancer in those exposed to Agent Orange [4]

Mortality

Population Exposed Agent Orange Relative risk Study


cases chemical of interest (95% CI)

US Vietnam Veterans: VA Cohort of Army Chemical Corps 2 All 4.0 (0.5–14.5) Dalager and Kang [38]
US Vietnam Veterans: Army, deployed 109 All 1.2 (not significant) Watanabe et al. [39]
US Vietnam Veterans: Marine Corps, deployed 28 All 0.8 (not significant) Watanabe et al. [39]
US Vietnam Veterans: Army, deployed 90 All 1.1 (0.8–1.5) Breslin et al. [28]
US Vietnam Veterans: Marine Corps, deployed 26 All 1.3 (0.5–3.6) Breslin et al. [28]
923 White male Vietnam veterans with Wisconsin death certificate 9 All 1.0 (0.5–1.9) Anderson et al. [40,41]
(1968–1978) vs proportions for Vietnam-era veterans
Australian Vietnam Veterans, All branches, return–2001 14 All 0.9 (0.4–1.4) ADVA [19]
Australian Conscripted Army National Service, 1966–2001 4 All 0.8 (0.2–2.0) ADVA [26]

Table 8
Incidence of renal cancer in those exposed to Agent Orange [4]

Incidence

Population Malignancy Exposed Agent Orange chemical Relative risk Study


cases of interest (95% CI)

Korean Vietnam Veterans Renal cell carcinoma 181 All 0.7 (0.6–1.0) Yi and Ohrr [30]
Korean Vietnam Veterans Renal pelvis cancer 23 All 1.1 (0.4–2.5) Yi and Ohrr [30]
Australian Vietnam Veterans Renal cancers 125 All 1.0 (0.8–1.2) ADVA [18]
Australian Conscripted Army National Service Renal cancers 19 All 0.7 (0.4–1.0) ADVA [36]
US Army Vietnam veterans, deployed Renal cancers 55 All 0.9 (0.5–1.5) Breslin et al. [28]
US Marines Vietnam veterans, deployed Renal cancers 13 All 0.9 (0.5–1.5) Breslin et al. [28]
Massachusetts Vietnam veterans diagnosed 1972–1983 Renal cancers 9 All 1.8 (1.0–3.5) Kogan and Clapp [47]
Michigan Vietnam-era veterans Renal cancers 21 All 1.4 (0.9–2.2) Visintainer et al. [48]

In addition, some studies in which Vietnam veterans enhanced suspicion. It may be pertinent to address possible
were compared with the general population may have changes in screening and surveillance protocols among
demonstrated the “healthy-soldier effect,” where Vietnam patients who have been exposed to Agent Orange.
veterans had a lower all-cause mortality than general
population [49]. Owing to initial physical screens where
potential military personnel are required to be in optimal
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